Alternate Spelling

   Looking in the dictionary, this hot Saturday, in Georgia, I discovered that meander has an alternate spelling, Maeander. I just thought, gosh I bet many words, thoughts have alternate spelling and meaning!!! The English language fascinates me, and being from the south, we have out own language!!
   A couple of days ago, I came down stairs and poured my coffee. I thought, if I get stuck on a desert island, coffee is coming with me. Hot or cold, I love it. I could be a coffee-holic, is that a word??
I also came to the realization that I meander anymore. Move very slowing and absorbing my surroundings. I skipped over being like my mother, and went straight to 'One Nanny', ( I had two), or Grandmother which we called her later on. I open doors to look outside, to see how my plants have grown, smell the dirt after the rain, grab a granola bar, listen to the birds, looking around my kitchen, as if I am seeing it for the first time!! I am my grandmother, it took her over an hour to make a piece of toast, and place it before me. She drank her coffee at her sink, just looking around. Her ice water jug in the fridge, would be pulled out, unscrewed and poured into a little glass, like a ballet. I never in my life saw her move fast, or hurry. She carried a big purse, and put on hose and a girdle like a surgeon. When she would bathe me, when I was little, she cleaned in between each of my toes, ever so slowly.
       Now my coffee is cold. I talk to the cat, "There You are", telling her that the birds are saying "You can't get me!" go look.
      It was a cool morning, but I knew the heat was coming, so even the crisp air was my friend.
I draw up Diana, the cats, diabetes shot, and  slowly rub my hand over the granite where Wyatt had sat, the day before.
     Finally, still shuffling my slippers, the hubs says, " What are you doing?"
 Well.."Iam thinking about my grandmother, ( only one Bill knows) her purse, her skin, they way she puffed a cigarette and did not inhale!!!" " She moved so slow, and I think with a purpose."
     I am you Mary Alice!!! I carry my big purse, I stroll. I see your pecan trees and back porch stairs, and that scary garage as I type. Your ear bobs, your lipstick, your love of church, your chair, shaped to your body, sweet memories come to me.
  Relaxed and deliberate, you lived a life filled with love. Your daughters, sisters and brother, your grandchildren, nieces and nephews, neighbors, church friends, work friends, took care of you forever, and we reaped the rewards.
     Happy Mothers Day Gran, Happy Mothers Day Mom, Happy Mothers Day aunties that I adore, Happy Mothers Day Friends and Family that have this job of raising babies!!
     Strong women, surround me, and lift me up!!
     Happy Every Day to all women, who mother kids all over the world.
    And take care of yourself, that is how you become the good mother. You first, is not selfish, it is the most important job you have!
     To My Ward, you remain my child, you are in my body, my feet, my hands, we walk together, forever, ( Thank you Harriet for that poem/story this morning) Sharing is caring.
     Love wins, a mothers heart wins, Happy Mothers Day All.